Best Way To Thaw Gutters And Down Spouts

The reason for the weight of ice is that debris in the downspout is getting wet.

Best way to thaw gutters and down spouts.

The wrong way to thaw gutters. On line advice about frozen downspouts varies. Rain gutters should slope 1 2 inch for every 10 feet. Over time the ice can back up into your gutters creating additional weight on your entire gutter system.

Another way you can thaw is by running hot water down the outside of the downspout near the blocked area. If neither of these ways help please do not use force by striking your downspout. The best thing to do is make sure your system is cleaned regularly every six months says brad ladner owner of atlanta s best gutter cleaners in roswell georgia. Strategies to safely thaw a frozen gutter don t get out your hammers ice picks or axes.

Downspouts collected ice inside where the downspouts were dented or bent. This should be good enough to thaw minor ice buildup and break up the blockage. Here are some things you can do to prevent ice in gutters and downspouts. I ve got a frozen downspout on the corner of my house due to multiple high snowfalls this year crazy low temps from polar vortexes indiana.

Long term prevention involves checking for bends and dings in the downspouts before winter sets in. If your gutters sit flat water will just sit in the gutter and freeze. 2x3 and 3x4 downspout gutter elbows choose from 30 degree 45 degree 75 degree 90 degree 30 degree style a 2x3 low gloss white 4 6 out of 5 stars 68 19 60 19 65. Others recommend taking ice melt to the gutters see below.

Consistently frozen downspouts require immediate attention. Should i try to thaw out the downspout. This could cause more damage than good. Attempting to break up the ice with a hammer this can dent your gutters or cause them to separate from the roof using a hatchet axe or shovel to break up the ice see 1.

Some say just leave it alone. For starters it s prudent to list some of the ways not to thaw iced over gutters. Gutter cleaners say a little prevention goes a long way to save you from frozen folly. The downspout is responsible for taking the water collected by the gutters and dispersing it out and away from the home s foundation.

Whether some of your downspouts remained clogged with debris when winter hit or your gutters are just reacting to all the snow and cold here s how to manage them until it warms up again. A downspout is an integral part of a home s gutter system. That allows water to easily flow to the downspout. If you live in a colder part of the world you may run into a situation where your downspouts become frozen.